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  <title>Chapter 19</title>
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            <h1 class="title">Chapter 19</h1>
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          <h2 class="subtitle">Iszak</h2>
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      <p class="first first-in-chapter first-full-width"><span class="first-letter first-letter-i">I</span>szak tilted his head slightly and studied the beautiful, passed-out woman. Why couldn’t having her be easy? No, she just <i>had</i> to come with baggage. He leaned back on his heels and just stared at her … this waif of a woman. This woman whose body he craved and knew he would die for. Trying to juxtapose the words she’d just blurted out onto what he knew already … what he knew in his fucking <i>heart and soul</i> about her after the one night they’d had … the few moments they’d shared.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He had no words.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“I thought she’d be taller,” he said dumbly. “At least meaner-looking, after all the blood that was spilled because of her.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">That’s what he thought of who she <i>said</i> she was. But who he knew she was … his one and only love … the woman lying passed out on his sofa was completely and utterly perfect. Right down to her confession before she’d lost consciousness.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“What the fuck just happened?” Lukas asked, falling back on his ass like he’d been knocked over.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“You didn’t think it’d be easy, did you?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Lukas snorted softly and stood, hovering over Belah’s prone form. He stooped and gently brushed a wisp of dark hair off her cheek, then sighed. “Nanyo never let us believe anything would be easy … it hasn’t been easy waiting for her. But … fuck. I can’t even … I spent so many nights imagining meeting the Beast from the stories and fucking <i>destroying</i> her. Easily as many nights as I fantasized about meeting <i>her.</i> I shouldn’t still want her so goddamn much, should I?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">“She came to us,” Iszak said, standing and bending down to slide his arms under her body again. “She answered our call. She’s ours. It isn’t in our blood to hate her.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">He turned to carry her into the bedroom, acting on instinct now. She was his true mate, after all. He may not be able to process her confession, but he could sure as shit be man enough to deserve the honesty she’d just offered.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“She’s delusional, right?” Lukas said, following him. “The booze made her believe she’s <i>that</i> Blue dragon. Survivor guilt, or something?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">“You know better,” Iszak said. They both knew better. Lies weren’t an option in their world. If Belah’s words hadn’t been entirely true, they’d have known. Even her belief of the truth wouldn’t have been enough to conceal reality from a turul.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“Fuck.”</p>
      <p class="subsq"><i>Fuck</i> was right. He laid her down on his bed and stood back and stared for a good five minutes. Her dark hair flowed like silk across his pillows. The leather hugging her body gleamed in the lamplight. He’d only had one too-short interlude with her that still seemed surreal. All of it, from the moment she’d caught his attention and started singing, to the realization they’d defied gravity while they fucked, felt like some kind of fantasy rather than fact.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He didn’t know what to make of her—this dragon who had rocked his world.</p>
      <p class="subsq">She was fucking helpless now. Drunk out of her mind and unconscious. If she really was the Blue Beast from legend, she’d never let herself be so vulnerable.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“By the Winds, she’s beautiful,” he whispered. He leaned down and impulsively touched one of the dark waves that spread across his pillowcase and her lips moved slightly. A wisp of blue smoke escaped.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“Whoa,” Lukas said and took a defensive step backward. Iszak rejected the strong impulse to retreat, instead leaning in and opening his mouth. He inhaled sharply and the smoke entered his lungs.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He leaned back on the mattress beside her, watching her sleeping body and wondering what the tiny bit of unconscious magic she’d let go would tell him.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Erratic images flitted around his mind. Emotions that made him ache to be her protector from a darkness he couldn’t fathom. Loss, regrets, and finally, hope made themselves apparent in the turmoil of her breath. For some reason, he saw his cousin’s face in the mix, which made no fucking sense whatsoever.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“Ozzie … Why the fuck would he be in her head?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">He stared at Lukas, who looked back with an open mouth. “Ah… I don’t…” Lukas’s mouth snapped shut abruptly. “Nanyo… she set him up on a date, remember? He said he’d met the Beast. Fucking hell.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Lukas darted from the room, and a second later, Iszak heard windows banging open and the rhythm of wings flapping off into the night.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Belah didn’t move a muscle. He let out a soft chuckle. The Blue Beast had a weakness, it seemed. He’d have to remember to keep a stock of turul liquor if she were going to be his mate. The vague thought flitted through his mind that he shouldn’t accept her so easily. Knowing who she really was, he should hold her accountable … he shouldn’t be wishing so hard for her to wake up just so he could make love to her again.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He gripped her booted foot and pulled, sliding the calf-length leather off and tossing it aside. The boot sailed through the air, but didn’t make contact. He’d expected a solid <i>thunk</i> against the wall. When that didn’t happen, he turned and saw … nothing … No sign of the boot at all.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“Fucking dragon illusions,” he muttered.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Rather than reach for her other boot, he pursed his lips and inhaled until his lungs were full, then blew. He directed the wind from his lungs to her feet, then up the rest of her body.</p>
      <p class="subsq">His breath flowed over her, his magic working to counteract hers, and every stitch of clothing dissolved.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Iszak simply stared, his cock raging at the sight of her milky skin and her full breasts splayed just so. This was only her human form, he knew, but it was the first time he’d gotten a good look at her this way. The first time he’d seen her, she’d been lit by moonlight and her voice had distracted him from everything else.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Now, her body distracted him. Every inch of her was perfect. He should be furious about the fact that she was the monster responsible for so much bloodshed, but nothing about this woman made him believe she was that. All he wanted to do was protect her. Make love to her. Hear her cry his name while she came.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He sat back down beside her, his cock a solid presence straining against his jeans.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He inhaled sharply through his nose and clenched his teeth, restraining himself from touching her. She was oblivious now—unconscious and completely defenseless. When he did touch her, he wanted to know she felt it. He didn’t know what he would do, but considering the emotions warring in his heart, he knew once she regained consciousness, she would be at his mercy. He only hoped she’d forgive him for taking vengeance on her flesh.</p>
      <p class="subsq">She was his true mate. His <i>One</i>. He would love her until it killed him. But that didn’t excuse her from what she’d done.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He picked up the covers and laid them over her naked body, then bent and kissed her.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“You have no idea what’s coming, baby, and I’m sorry for that. But if you’re really the mate of the North Brothers, you’ll survive what we have to offer. And if you really were the Blue Beast, you will probably think what we do is child’s play.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">There had been many legends passed down about the Blue Beast. After Iszak’s sister disappeared, he’d researched all of them. One thing he knew was that the female dragon who had been the origin of their strife … who’d created their enemy … had enjoyed being tied up. Part of him hated knowing now that she might be the One, but another part ached to the core to show her what he could do with a few lengths of rope.</p>
      <p class="subsq">When his brother returned with their cousin some time later, he had so many ropes slung over the rafters it looked like their living room had been taken over by vines.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Ozzie stared around and gaped. “Who the fuck is this woman? Should I be excited to be included?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">“No,” Iszak snapped. “Your job is to identify her. Then you’re leaving.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Ozzie frowned. “Figured. Drummers always get upstaged … it’s nothing new. Show me Sleeping beauty so I can get back to my fucking life, you fucks. I hope for your sake she’s not the woman I met.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Lukas directed their cousin into Iszak’s bedroom, and the two of them followed.</p>
      <p class="subsq">He rammed into Ozzie’s back halfway through the door. His cousin had stopped short and stood, staring and slowly shaking his head.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Over Ozzie’s shoulder, Iszak saw a pretty face framed by dark waves mussed from sleep, and the brightest blue eyes met his. She gave him a slight smile before looking at his cousin.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“Hi, Ozzie,” Belah said. “Sorry about the bump on your head.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">“No worries,” Ozzie said numbly and turned. His terrified eyes were enough to tell Iszak what he needed to know.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“You’re in bed with the fucking devil. She’s in league with them. She fucking <i>made</i> them. I’m outta here, guys.” He kept ranting on his way through the living room. Gesturing at Iszak’s setup, he said, “You’re fucking crazy if you think a bunch of cheesy ropes are going to hold the bitch. Good fucking luck with that.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Before Iszak or Lukas could stop him, Ozzie rushed out the door, slamming it solidly behind him.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Iszak couldn’t keep his eyes off her now. Even as she pulled the sheets up higher.</p>
      <p class="subsq">She had to explain a few things, no doubt, but before that happened, he needed her.</p>
      <p class="subsq">A hand gripped his arm and he turned to see Lukas frowning at him.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“What’s with the setup in the living room?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">“She’s the One, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make her pay.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">He turned back to the now conscious Belah.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“Sweetness, you’ve got us both in a bit of a pickle. After that detail you dropped, we’re just not sure how to react.” He had trouble holding back the anger now that she was awake. She still looked perfect, and he still fucking wanted her. He’d have a hard time not hurting her when he got her bound up, but if she was as perfect as he thought, she’d love it.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Her blue eyes brightened and her throat rippled as she swallowed.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“How do you want to react?” She let her arms drop and the sheet slipped away from her breasts, falling to pool around her knees. She was bare naked and kneeling on his bed. Exactly how he’d always imagined his true mate might look.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“I’m not going anywhere, Iszak. You and Lukas are my life now. Fate’s a bitch, isn’t she?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Iszak swallowed, the lump in his throat as harsh as a live ember when it went down. It only landed as a burning need in his belly. “This is going to hurt, baby. I hope you know that. We’ve got fifty years of hating what you were to us to work out before everything’s even close to level.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">And fuck if she didn’t smile. “I’ve got three thousand years of regret to work out. We might need another three thousand before I’m level. Are you good with that?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Beside him, Lukas cursed softly. “Fucking hell, she’s perfect.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Iszak was too enthralled by the way she stretched out her creamy arms and offered her hands to him, upturned wrists pressed together, blue veins pulsing beneath the translucent barrier of her skin.</p>
      <p class="subsq"><i>Bind me,</i> the gesture said.</p>
      <p class="subsq">And he did.</p>
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